Supplies of air defense systems to Ukraine remain a priority for U.S., allies - Pentagon

The U.S. government, as well as allies and partners, are working out the possibilities for supplying Ukraine with air defense systems amid massive Russian missile strikes.

U.S. Defense Department Spokesman, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, said this at a briefing on Tuesday, November 1, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"In terms of air defense capabilities, this continues to be a priority for the U.S. government, for the Department of Defense to work closely with the Ukrainian side, with our allies and our partners to try to get them [Ukraine] additional air defense capability," he said.

Ryder noted that the first NASAMS systems would be delivered to Ukraine "very soon," and the Ukrainian side will announce when they arrive in the country. At the same time, he said, the United States will continue to look at other ways to strengthen this support for Ukraine.

At the same time, according to him, the Pentagon and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin continue to personally contact allies and partners. The purpose of these negotiations is "to identify what other defense capabilities might exist within their own stocks and within their own defense," Ryder said.